Is this soda ash?

[MonicsDelight]

I made this rebactch soap a few months ago and stored it in the regular container. The bars of the same soap batter don’t have it as bad. It rubs off like soda ash, it just seem to have come on later than normal.

 

[ChemicalPyros]

Hello @MonicsDelight,

Soda ash is usually finer than this, to me this seems like some kind of blooming (separation of fats according to their polarity). When you wipe it does it have an oily feel?
This can be due to an incomplete saponification, or to superfatting and/or bad curing conditions (high humidity and/or very high temperature).

 

[MonicsDelight]

I might have added too much shea butter and it's more humid than normal in my area this summer. I was able to wipe it off with wet fingers and it just felt soapy. Next time I just have to be mindful of water and oils, right?

 

[ChemicalPyros]

Keep in mind that oils/fats are not soluble in soap (soap help dissolve oils/fats in water). so too much superfatting can result in this kind of blooming.

So yes I agree with you it is always better to be mindful of the water and oils.